Cushioning device for remote control television equipment, and assembly thereof

ABSTRACT

The cushioning device is used on remote control television equipment and includes a stretchable resilient elastomeric block of natural or synthetic rubber or plastic. The block has closed sides and bottom and a top with an open cavity therein which in one instance is a slit adapted to receive and releasably grip one or more remote control television panels inserted therein at or below the top of the block. When so inserted, the combination of the cushioning device and panel(s) forms the improved assembly. The block also has an opening in one side to allow passage of wires and/or radio signals from the remote control panel(s) in the block to the television equipment. The control panel(s) can be one or more remote channel selectors, volume and on-off selectors and video tape television controls. A pocket is also provided in another side of the block in one embodiment to releasably receive a television channel program guide. The block may also have removable top dust lid and cushioned feet. The device is simple, durable, inexpensive and effective in cushioning and protecting remote control panels against damage, providing the panels with convenient storage and immediate access, and accommodating panels of various sizes and shapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to protective devices and, moreparticularly, to a cushioning device for remote control televisionequipment.

2. Prior Art

Various types of cushioning devices have been used with readilydamagable equipment. For example, during the storing and shipment ofclocks, watches, motor controls, electrical test equipment and the like,rigid foam polystyrene shells, strips and the like are used to encaseand cushion such equipment against vibration and damage. Variousconfigurations of such polystyrene protective containers are shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,314,309, 4,602,715, 4,261,467, 4,201,293 and 3,346,221.Molded fiberglass has also been used for protective casings and thelike. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,092.

Once delicate equipment arrives at its destination, however, it iscustomarily removed from its protective casing and is then used withoutany further protective containment. It has been found that remotecontrol television equipment such as remote television channel selectorpanels, remote television on-off switches, remote videotape controlpanels and the like for television sets which are used withoutprotective casings are especially subject to damage by being dropped orhaving solid objects fall in them as they rest on coffee tables, sideand end tables and the like.

It would be desireable to be able to provide effective cushioningdevices for remote control television equipment to encase the equipmentwhile the equipment is in use, in order to reduce the possibility oftheir damage. Such cushioning devices should preferably be capable ofprotecting the equipment against vibrations, jars, drops, etc., and beadaptable to a wide variety of sizes and shapes of such equipment.Moreover, such devices should be inexpensive and durable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improved cushioning device of the present invention satisfies allthe foregoing needs. It, together with the television remote controlequipment being cushioned therein, forms the improved assembly of thepresent invention. The cushioning device is substantially as set forthin the Abstract.

In this regard, the improved cushioning device comprises a flexible,resilient, stretchable elastomeric block having closed side and bottom,and an open top with an open television remote control panel-receivingcapacity. Since the cavity stretches, it is capable of releasablygrippingly receiving remote control panels and the like of variousdimensions and shapes and holding them at or below the top of the blockand cushioned from jars and bumps and fully in view for easy use whilein the block. The block can include an openable lid, cushioned legs anda side opening to permit passage of wires and/or radio signals from theremote control device to the television equipment.

The block can also include a second side opening for reception of atelevision program guide magazine or other printed listing. Furtherfeatures of the improved device and assembly of the present inventionare set forth in the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view, partly broken away, of a firstpreferred embodiment of the improved cushioning device and assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front elevation of the device and assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view, partly broken away, of a secondpreferred embodiment of the improved device and assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view, partly broken away, of a thirdpreferred embodiment of the improved cushioning device of the presentinvention; and,

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view, partly broken away, of thedevice of FIG. 4 and containing a remote television control panel toform therewith a third preferred embodiment of the improved assembly ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2

Now referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanyingdrawings, a first preferred embodiment of the improved cushioning deviceand assembly of the present invention is schematically depicted therein.Thus, assembly 10 is shown which comprises a cushioning device 12 inwhich is removably inserted a remote control television item ofequipment, specifically channel control selector panel 14.

Panel 14 is recessed in a cavity 16 open in the top 18 of a flexible,resilient, stretchable elastomeric, generally rectangular block 20 ofnatural or synthetic rubber or plastic having closed bottom 22 andclosed sides 24, 26, 28 and 30.

Cavity 16 is generally rectangular and stretches so that it tightly butreleasably grips the periphery of rectangular panel 14, holding panel 14against jarring, vibrations, bumps and damage. Panel 14 can be ofvarious sizes and shapes and still be received and held in cavity 16.Even if block 20 is knocked off a coffee table or the like andoverturned, panel 14 will stay recessed in cavity 16 and fullyprotected. Likewise, if an object such as a book which is larger thanblock 20 falls on it, panel 14 will still be protected. Yet panel 14 isavailable for instant use, its control buttons 32 in full view. Ifdesired, panel 14 can be placed in cavity 16 with buttons 32 above or atthe top surface of block 20.

Block 20 also has an opening or passageway 34 which extends from side 28to cavity 16 for passage of the radio control beam from beam emanator 36of panel 14 (FIG. 2) to the television equipment to be remotelycontrolled by it. Alternatively, opening 34 could be used as apassageway through which wires could pass from panel 14 to thetelevision equipment wired thereto, if panel 14 utilized wiring insteadof emanator 36 to control such equipment.

It will be understood that block 20 can be of any suitable size andshape, as can cavity 16 and panel 14. Block 20 may be slip resistant andof attractive appearance for optimal table top use. It is inexpensive,versatile and effective in cushioning panel 16.

FIG. 3

A second preferred embodiment of the improved cushioning device andassembly of the present invention is schematically depicted in FIG. 3.Thus, assembly 10a is shown. Components thereof similar to those ofassembly 10 bear the same numerals but are succeeded by the letter "a".Assembly 10a is identical to assembly 10, except as follows:

(a) block 20a is raised up on resilient, integral, flexible elastomericlegs 38;

(b) opening 34a in side 28a is rectangular and has a pair ofinterconnected side openings 40 and 42 for wiring 44 (shown only inopening 42);

(c) a pair of panels 14a¹ and 14a¹¹ are abutted side by side in cavity16a, panel 14a¹ being a wireless radio beam-emanating radio controlpanel, while panel 14a¹¹ being a wired remote on-off and volume controlpanel; and

(d) side 26a has a pocket 46 therein shown, releasably holding atelevision channel program guide listing 48.

Assembly 10a has the other advantages of assembly 10.

FIGS. 4 and 5

A third preferred embodiment of the improved assembly and cushioningdevice of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus,assembly 10b is shown. Components thereof similar to those of assembly10 or 10a bear the same numerals but are succeeded by the letter "b".Assembly 10b is substantially identical to assembly 10, except asfollows:

(a) block 20b has a very narrow cavity 16b (FIG. 4) in top 18b whichstretches easily to accommodate and grip remote television control panel14b (FIG. 5);

(b) block 20b has a hinged openable top dust lid 50 connected to top18b; and,

(c) block 20b has depending cushioned bottom legs 38b.

Assembly 10b has the other advantages of assemblies 10 and 10a.

Various other modifications, changes, alterations and additions can bemade in the improved assembly and cushioning device of the presentinvention, their components and parameters. All such modifications,changes, alterations and additions as are within the scope of theappended claims form part of the present invention.

PRIOR ART STATEMENT

A preliminary patentability search has been carried out on the subjectmatter of the present patent application and the following U.S. patentswere located:

    ______________________________________                                        U.S. Pat. No.       Inventor(s)                                               ______________________________________                                        3,346,221           Farmer                                                    4,201,293           Rigazio, et al.                                           4,234,092           Axel                                                      4,261,467           Shariff, et al.                                           4,314,309           Read                                                      4,602,715           Sarver, et al.                                            4,621,022           Kahaut, et al.                                            ______________________________________                                    

The invention set forth in the claims of the present application arebelieved to be clearly patentable over and unobvious in view of theabove-lited references. Farmer discloses a hard plastic vibrationdampener with cushioned feet. Rigazio, et al., discloses rigid styrofoampackaging for a clock; Alex is similar, as are Shariff, et al., andRead; Sarver, et al., is similar, but also uses resilient foam sripsinside the rigid outer shells. Kohaut, et al., deals with tiny shapedfoam particles to be poured loosely into a container around an item tobe cushioned.

None of the above-listed patents disclose a flexible, resilient,stretchable elastomeric block into the top of which are releasablyinserted one or more remote control panels for television equipment.Such panels are held securely but removably in the top of the block,cushioned from damage and immediately available for use or storage. Theblock has an opening therethrough to allow passage of wires and/or radiosignals from the panels to the television equipment. None of this isshown in the above-listed patents. The patents merely show storage andshipping cartons not intended to be used with the encased product.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved cushioning device for remote control television equipment, said device comprising a stretchable, resilient elastomeric block having a closed bottom and sides and a top with an open cavity therein adapted to grippingly receive a remote television control panel, and having it available for immediate use while in said block, said block also having an opening in one side thereof in communication with said cavity for passage of wires and radio signals from said remote control panel to television equipment wherein said block has a pocket in another side thereof for reception of a television program guide magazine.
 2. An improved cushioning device for remote control television equipment, said device comprising a stretchable, resilient elastomeric block having a closed bottom and sides and a top with an open cavity therein adapted to grippingly receive a remote television control panel, and having it available for immediate use while in said block, said block also having an opening in one side thereof in communication with said cavity for passage of wires and radio signals from said remote control panel to television equipment, wherein said block has a dust lid removably disposed over said top.
 3. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said lid is hinged to the upper end of one of said sides and wherein said block has bottom cushioning feet.
 4. An improved cushioned remote control television assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination:(a) at least one remote control television panel; and, (b) a stretchable resilient elastomeric block having a closed bottom and sides and a top with an open cavity therein in which said television panel is releasably gripped by the portions of said top defining said cavity, said block also having an opening in one side thereof in communication with said cavity for passage of wires and radio signals from said panel to television equipment, wherein a plurality of said remote control panels are disposed in abutting relation in said cavity.
 5. An improved cushioned remote control television assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination:(a) at least one remote control television panel; and, (b) a stretchable resilient elastomeric block having a closed bottom and sides and a top with an open cavity therein in which said television panel is releasably gripped by the portions of said top defining said cavity, said block also having an opening in one side thereof in communication with said cavity for passage of wires and radio signals from said panel to television equipment, wherein said block has a pocket in a side thereof for insertion of a television program guide.
 6. An improved cushioned remote control television assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination:(a) at least one remote control television panel, and, (b) a stretchable resilient elastomeric block having a closed bottom and sides and a top with an open cavity therein in which said television panel is releasably gripped by the portions of said top defining said cavity, said block also having an opening in one side thereof in communication with said cavity for passage of wires and radio signals from said panel to television equipment, wherein said block has a dust lid releasably disposed over said top.
 7. An improved cushioned remote control television assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination:(a) at least one remote control television panel; and, (b) a stretchable resilient elastomeric block having a closed bottom and sides and a top with an open cavity therein in which said television panel is releasably gripped by the portions of said top defining said cavity, said block also having an opening in one side thereof in communication with said cavity for passage of wires and radio signals from said panel to television equipment, wherein said lid is hinged to said block and wherein said block bottom has depending cushioning feet.
 8. An improved remote control television panel assembly, comprising:(a) a remote control panel having signal emission means for controlling a television set, (b) a resilient elastomeric block of cushioning material, (c) said block having a cavity therein which is dimensioned to grippingly receive therein said panel, (d) said block further having an opening in one side thereof to allow signals emanating from said signal emission means to be directed upon a television set, (e) wherein a plurality of said remote control panels are disposed in abutting relation in said cavity. .Iadd.
 9. An improved cushioning device for releasably retaining an electronic remote control unit with a signal emitter control means thereon, said device comprising:a) a stretchable, resilient, elastomeric container having a bottom portion and upstanding side portions connected to said bottom portion and a top portion with an opening therein connected to said side portions, b) one of said side portions having an opening therein for allowing signals emanating from said control unit to pass therethrough, c) wherein said container is designed to allow stretching and distortion thereof to enable insertion of a remote control unit into said container through at least one of said openings and to subsequently be releasably held within said container substantially exclusively by the distorted container, and d) whereby said opening in said top portion is sufficiently large enough to expose the control means on said control unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The cushioning device of claim 9 wherein said opening in one of said side portions is sufficiently resilient so as to allow the passage therethrough of said control unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. An improved cushioned remote control assembly comprising, in combination:a) a remote control unit having exposed control means and signal emitter means therein, b) a stretchable, resilient, elastomeric container having a bottom portion, side portions connected to said bottom portion, and a top portion with a window opening therein connected to said side portions, c) one of said side portions having an opening therein for allowing signals emanating from said control unit to pass therethrough, d) said remote control unit being disposed within said container, and being releasably held within said container by the deformed container, which container has been stretched to accommodate said control unit, e) said control unit being positioned within said container so that said emitter means lies opposite said opening in said side portion, and f) said control unit being positioned within said container so that said control means lies opposite said opening in said top portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. An improved remote control television panel assembly, comprising:(a) a remote control panel having signal emission means for controlling a television set, (b) a resilient elastomeric block of cushioning material, (c) said block having a cavity therein which is dimensioned to grippingly retain and cushion therein said panel, (d) said block further having an opening in one side thereof to allow signals emanating from said signal emission means to be directed upon a television set. .Iaddend. 